With the harsher than normal winter weather causing significant damage to roadways, Senator Jack Martins (R-Mineola) is calling for a $50 million increase in highway funding to local governments as part of the 2014-15 state budget.

Senator Jack Martins (R-Mineola) is calling for the final state budget to reject a proposal by Governor Cuomo to loosen regulations which require pesticide use to be reported by zip code. The Governor’s proposal would eliminate tracking pesticide use by zip code and instead track pesticides only by the county where they are sold.

The State Senate has overwhelmingly passed legislation sponsored by Senator Jack Martins (R-Mineola) that makes it unlawful to leave a child under 8-year-old unattended in a motor vehicle.

During the warm summer months, dangerous conditions can arise in standing or parked motor vehicles as trapped heat causes the temperature inside to rise dramatically. Between 1998 and 2004, 230 children have died of hyperthermia from being left in cars. In 2005, by mid-summer, 19 deaths were recorded as a result of hyperthermia.

Senator Martins’ bill requires that children remaining in a parked or standing car be accompanied by a someone who is at least twelve years old.

The New York State Senate passed legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Jack M. Martins (R-Mineola), that would help convict dangerous drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The legislation requires testing drivers suspected of being under the influence when an accident occurs and results in serious injury or death.

“This measure is another step in holding those who choose to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol accountable for putting innocent lives at risk,” Senator Martins said. “This will provide law enforcement with more effective means to make our roads safer and save lives.”

Senator Jack Martins (R-7th Senate District) announced that the final state budget agreement will include over $517 million in state aid for local governments to repair and maintain their roads. The funding includes an additional $40 million in aid over last year’s total to help local governments repair the significant road damage caused by this winter’s harsher than normal weather. Senator Martins, Chairman of the Senate’s Local Government Committee, fought for the aid increase to be included in this year’s state budget.

I wanted to write something poetic here. My intention was to memorialize a good friend with words that would strengthen those of us who loved him while capturing his extraordinary spirit for those who didn’t know him. But I got stuck, starting and stopping a good half a dozen times as no words seemed to be doing my sentiments justice. Then, as providence would have it, I came across a quote from the American essayist, E.B. White, who wrote “To achieve style, begin by affecting none.”